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want to upgrade their current systems to ‘You have to consider the business
help them do better planning and let them
be more agile. So, we would help them to needs that might have changed after
evaluate solutions in terms of IT and
the pandemic. So, no one single
operation procedures.
What kinds of questions and
challenges are you hearing about technology can fit all.’
from clients?
Lo: I think that most clients have a similar Ken Lo, FCMA, CGMA, a management consultant for EY
situation. In the past, their operation
model was pretty stable. They could
manage everything. However, the
pandemic created a lot of chaos and Moreover, environmental change can be understand and learn the latest
uncertainty. They are very frustrated, but another factor in selecting the technology technology. Perhaps they understand a bit
it’s very difficult to get an immediate focus. You have to consider the business about programming, so they can
solution. Once the chaos comes, they needs that might have changed after the understand the importance of data for
cannot handle it with their current pandemic. So, no one single technology producing insights. I’m especially
manpower and systems. can fit all. interested in how much they like to
The best way to get results from supply embrace the new technology and whether
Can you explain what IT chain tech investment is by measuring a they’re able to learn and use new skills.
solutions can do for a company’s KPIs matrix, before and after adopting the Since introducing new technology into
supply chain? technology, on a regular basis. supply chain management can be a
Lo: This kind of solution can help them to relatively big investment in most
have better end-to-end supply chain What kind of questions would you organisations, it needs to justify such
visibility — that’s the key point. An encourage clients to ask before investment by balancing the return on
analytic solution can give them some launching a supply chain project? investment. Therefore, the CFO or finance
more evidence to make the decision. Lo: I think the goal of all solutions, people are the right ones to consider
Nobody has their crystal ball, right? They whether it’s IT or not, is ultimately to help financial figures and projected values that
need something to help them make the the business see and address their the new technology could bring to the
right decision, at the right time. I think business failings. So, the first question is, organisation.
these kinds of data and analytic what is the pain point of the business?
solutions can definitely help them to make What kinds of problems are they facing, Lastly, do you think that the current
the best decision. and what’s their priority — which one do supply chain disruptions are a
they want to solve first? They also should temporary result of the pandemic,
Are we mostly talking about be asking about the savings a solution or are we looking at a long-term
keeping track of products as could provide or whether it can mitigate structural challenge?
they are shipped? risks. Lo: It’s hard to say. In different parts of the
Lo: Not necessarily. If they integrate their world, they’ll have different policies and
ERP [enterprise resource planning] What are some common feelings about this pandemic. We don’t
system, companies can also keep track of mistakes that companies make know when things will be “back to
production, materials, and suppliers. An on these projects? normal”. Eventually, it will happen —
IT solution can help a company to see how Lo: They might make mistakes such as people will find a way. But some changes
much inventory they should produce. selecting the wrong technology or may be forever.
Analytics is not only for logistics, but also mismatching the business needs in an I don’t know what will happen, but
is end to end, from their suppliers to their organisation. Or, if the project scale is too technology will be one of the key, critical
production to their warehouse inventory. large, it creates big hurdles during the success factors. The disaster has lasted
They need all these kinds of things to be implementation, ultimately impacting the quite long when compared to some
connected together. overall ROI of the technology significant disasters before. This definitely
implementation. will alert business leaders about the need
Where should finance be focusing to make their operations sustainable —
its supply chain tech investments? What kinds of personal skills are and technology is the thing they will have
What is the best way to get results? helpful as finance leaders to embrace. ■
Lo: For this question, it depends on the take on supply chain and
business nature of the individual logistics challenges? Andrew Kenney is a freelance writer
organisation. Say if an organisation is a Lo: Besides his or her original expertise in based in the US. To comment on this
purchasing office — then they should the finance or accounting world, I think article or to suggest an idea for
focus on the supply chain technology in technology is the key. No matter what another article, contact Drew Adamek
procurement, sourcing, sales, and function they’re working in, it’s very good at Andrew.Adamek@aicpa-cima.com.
operations planning and the like. for candidates to have the ability to

34 I FM MAGAZINE I June 2022